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Valery Gerasimov

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Parent: Russian Aerospace Forces Hop 4
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Valery Gerasimov
NameValery Gerasimov
CaptionGerasimov in 2021
Birth date8 September 1955
Birth placeKazan, Tatar ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Allegiance* Soviet Union (1977–1991) * Russia (1991–present)
BranchRussian Ground Forces
Serviceyears1977–present
RankGeneral of the Army
Commands* 58th Combined Arms Army * Leningrad Military District * Moscow Military District * Central Military District * Chief of the General Staff * First Deputy Minister of Defence
Battles* Second Chechen War * Russo-Georgian War * Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation * Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war * Russo-Ukrainian War ** War in Donbas (2014–2022) ** 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
AwardsHero of the Russian Federation, Order of St. George 4th class, Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 4th class

Valery Gerasimov is a senior Russian Armed Forces officer who has served as Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of Defence since 2012. Appointed by President Vladimir Putin, he is a key architect of modern Russian military strategy and has overseen major operations including the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. His name is associated with the "Gerasimov doctrine," a concept describing modern hybrid warfare, though he has disputed its Western interpretation.

Early life and education

He was born on 8 September 1955 in Kazan, within the Tatar ASSR of the Soviet Union. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled at the Kazan Suvorov Military School, a prestigious institution for aspiring officers. He graduated in 1977 from the Kazan Higher Tank Command School, commissioning into the Soviet Tank Troops. His early career was spent in command positions within the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany and the Baltic Military District, where he rose through the ranks of the Soviet Army.

Military career

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he continued his service in the Russian Ground Forces. He commanded the 58th Combined Arms Army from 2001 to 2003, a period encompassing the Second Chechen War. Promoted to Colonel general, he later served as chief of staff for the North Caucasus Military District. He commanded the Leningrad Military District and the Moscow Military District before being appointed Commander of the Central Military District in 2009. In November 2012, President Vladimir Putin named him Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and First Deputy Minister of Defence, succeeding Nikolai Makarov.

Role in the Russo-Ukrainian War

He has been a central figure in Russia's military actions in Ukraine since 2014. He reportedly helped plan the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and oversaw support for separatist forces during the War in Donbas (2014–2022). As the top uniformed commander, he has been directly responsible for planning and executing the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In January 2023, following Russian setbacks, he was placed in overall command of the newly unified Joint Group of Forces, replacing Sergei Surovikin. His leadership has been criticized by figures like Yevgeny Prigozhin of the Wagner Group, and he has been subject to international sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

Military doctrine and publications

In a 2013 article for the journal Military-Industrial Courier, he outlined evolving concepts of modern conflict, emphasizing the blurring of war and peace and the use of non-military means. Western analysts subsequently coined the term "Gerasimov doctrine" to describe this approach to hybrid warfare, though he has stated this was a misinterpretation of his analysis of NATO tactics. His writings reference the works of Soviet military theorists like Alexander Svechin and analyze conflicts such as the Arab Spring and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Awards and honors

He has received numerous state awards, including the highest title of Hero of the Russian Federation. His military decorations include the Order of St. George (4th class), the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (4th class), the Order of Alexander Nevsky, and the Order of Military Merit. He has also been awarded the Order of Honour and multiple Medals "For Courage", alongside various ministerial awards.

Personal life

He is married and has a son. Details about his family are kept private. He is known to be an avid reader of military history and is a graduate of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia. In 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine reportedly targeted a hotel in Sevastopol where he was believed to be staying during a meeting with commanders of the Black Sea Fleet.

Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:Russian generals Category:Chiefs of the General Staff (Russia) Category:Heroes of the Russian Federation Category:People from Kazan